Bruce hits last of Reds' 3 HRs for 5-4 win over Cubs
CINCINNATI - Todd Frazier connected for the first time since he won the All-Star Home Run Derby, and Jay Bruce hit a key two-run shot in the sixth inning on Monday night, powering the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-4 victory over the Cubs.
The Reds hit three homers in all, including Marlon Byrd's solo shot, and beat the Cubs at Great American Ball Park for the first time this season. Bruce's drive off Justin Grimm (1-3) put Cincinnati up 5-4 with two outs in the sixth.
Ryan Mattheus (1-1) pitched a hitless inning in relief of Michael Lorenzen. J.J. Hoover escaped a threat in the eighth. Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth - a day after he threw a career-high 44 pitches - and retired the side on 13 pitches for his 19th save in 20 chances.
The Cubs are 7-3 against Cincinnati this season, including 2-1 at Great American Ball Park. They haven't won their season series since 2009.
Frazier won the derby at Great American last Monday night, hitting the clinching homer with his final swing. Those 15 minutes of aiming for the seats tired him out - he was 0 for 3 in the All-Star Game and hitless in 10 at-bats during a series against Cleveland over the weekend.
His solo shot in the first inning off left-hander Clayton Richard was his first homer since June 28th and his first at Great American since June 21. He has hit 16 of his 26 homers at home.
The Cubs' Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo also participated in the All-Star derby and helped them pull ahead 4-3. Rizzo had a sacrifice fly, and Bryant doubled home a run. Jorge Soler's two-run double put Chicago ahead in the fifth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: LHP Zac Rosscup flew to Double-A Tennessee on Monday to continue his rehab stint at a higher level. Rosscup, on the 15-day DL since June 17, had been pitching with the rookie team in Mesa, Ariz.
Reds: LHP Manny Parra went on the 15-day DL with a strained elbow. ... Mattheus twisted his left knee while fielding Starlin Castro's grounder in the 6th but stayed in the game after a few practice throws.
UP NEXT
Cubs: Jason Hammel (5-4) returns from a hamstring problem. He pitched only one inning on July 8 against the Cardinals before leaving with a tight left hamstring.
Reds: Raisel Iglesias (2-5) makes his second start since returning from a strained left oblique. He gave up five runs and eight hits in only 4 1/3 innings of a 14-3 loss at Miami on July 11.